Chris Powell signed in the January of that season, before that it was Shane Nicholson. Sean Flynn was right back with Rowett playing as one of three centre-halves once Stimac arrived.

It is always difficult comparing previous players because we tend to remember them at their best. Van der Laan and Willems had one good season but didn't feature subsequently. I doubt either one would be so effective in the current era although we could do with Van der Laan's leadership qualities.

I think it is less relevant to compare individuals than it is to compare teams. That team certainly had an effective method of playing and a very solid spine once Stimac arrived. Similarly the promtion team of 2007 was an effective unit although I doubt we would want many of the individuals in today's team. A team should be at least equal to the sum of its parts: Smith's was, Davies's was greater than, and at present McClaren's is less than. This is the issue which needs addressing.

My starting 11 would be:-

Grant

Rowett
Stimac
Keogh
Powell

Russell
Carsley
Van der Laan
Simpson

Gabbiadini
Sturridge

Bench :-
Hughes
Bryson
Hendrick
Martin
Wassall

How could you miss Simmo off? Scored goals and, unlike all of our current wingers, could put in a decent cross!

Although the 95/96 team got promoted on only 79 points and the current lot got more than that last season, I felt at the time that the 95/6 squad had a lot of players capable of making the step up. This was proven the following season when, with the addition of 3/4 famous names, we reached the dizzy heights of 12th.

Of the current squad, only 3 or 4 are really capable of making the grade from what I've seen this last year and a half. Grant would not embarrass himself in the Prem, Russell is getting better and Bryson and Hughes would be playing regularly for a bottom half team. Keogh, I think, would do okay if played alongside a cultured player like Igor. Hendrick would have a chance but Martin, in spite of making the bench, is nothing like as effective as Sturridge or Gabbi were.

Peeder - good point, I forgot about Simmo - His goals were vital in the run in (hat trick against Tranmere). I would swap him for Willems.

Couple of things to correct as I remember that season well!

Lee Carsley actually played in the right wing back role. Flynn was a squad player.

Simmo can be easily left out as Jim Smith managed it! He played quite a few games especially near the end of the system but the first choice front 3 was Sturridge, Gabbiadini, Willems for most of the season.

And Van der Laan did absolutely feature after that season. His return to the team in 96/97 was a big factor in us staying up after a really difficult spell for the team in December and January

comment by Peeder - 22/3/14 "A GOOD DAY" (U1684)
posted 22 minutes ago
My starting 11 would be:-

Grant

Rowett
Stimac
Keogh


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#twattery #Vote666PoTY2014 #AlloAlloAccentOptional

Thanks for the vote 666. Much appreciated.

Happy - would you include George Thorne?

If he's in the same kind of form he was in before he got injured, I don't know how you could leave him out, particularly if played in the DM role.

I think our midfield is so good when they're on song, I was only 2/3 years old in 95/96 so obviously I don't remember that team.
But Hughes, Hendrick, Bryson, Thorne. Don't you think all four would acquit themselves well in the PL? I personally think they could, our defence is what lets us down. Never looks composed. Oh for a modern day Igor Stimac.

Tough call, think the 96 squad was a more mature unit but from being in control, they were well overhauled by Sunderland and not too far a head of palace at the end. They did make the step up well. I wouldn't tinker to much with our current attack but add stimac, VdL and Powell to this team and it would be spot on. I'm terms of the coaches I would opt for Steve, the 96 team declined when he went to ManU, so I think he was the driving force in the way they played

RampsRam - A fully fit George Thorne playing as well as he did last season would definetely be a first choice for me and replace Van Der Laan (although we would miss VDL's leadership qualities). However, I omitted GT from the team as he's not played this season but (hopefully!!) will do early 2015.

For 666

#twattery will get you nowhere.

The Baseball Ground was a perfect fit for Van der Laan. Very small pitch (2nd smallest in the whole football league at the time) and very dodgy surface. Ipro Stadium is a whole new level and i don't think Van der Laan gets anywhere near this Derby midfield.

Flynn made 46 appearances that season, hardly the record of a squad player. He continued in the first team in the top division. I remember seeing him score the winner at Ewood Park early on in the season. Van der Laan didn't play early on and was loaned out for a couple of months, I think to Wolves if memory serves. We had signed Asanovic after all. He did play some games in the second half of the season but in his entire Derby career he only played 50-60 games, the great majority of which were in the promotion year, so I think it's fair to say that he only featured to any great extent in that one season.

Boulton
Webster: McFarland: Todd (Colin!): Nish:
Thorne:
Durban: Hughes: Gemmill:
George: Hector:


Sorry I couldn't resist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surprised you included Gordon Hughes in that team VC10. Thought Billy Hodgson was better.

comment by I'm not Spartacus. It is would've not would of. (U4603)
posted 3 hours ago
Surprised you included Gordon Hughes in that team VC10. Thought Billy Hodgson was better.
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I thought of that when I,d posted. But I thought no one on the site was old enough to remember Charlie and Billy!

Really VC, ill have you know Spart was on a zimmerframe when those boys where in their prime.

He remembers loads and more.

More confined to bed now though.

Troll.


Only messing #spartorramdinipoty2014.

too lazy to find upper! whatever you call it.

Happy Christmas you Rams & 606 frends.

This is a pretty pointless comparison, because your current team is only mid table at best. I will be surprised if you are in the top six by the end of February!

May be Red Forest Bear, may be but I could give you 5 reasons why we will finish above forest!